Copper complexes of polyaza[n]cyclophanes and their interaction with DNA and RNA

Abstract The complexation properties of Cu 2+ ions with the cyclophane receptors 2,6,9,13-tetraaza[14]metacyclophane ( L1 ), 2,6,10,13,17,21-hexaaza[22]metacyclophane ( L2 ) and 2,6,10,13,17,21-hexaaza[22]paracyclophane ( L3 ) are presented. Formation of mononuclear complexes in the case of L1 and of mono- and binuclear complexes in the case of the hexaaazcyclophane ligands L2 and L3 is observed. The coordination numbers around each Cu 2+ in the binuclear complexes involve at most three nitrogen donors for each metal ion. Cyclophanes L1 – L3 and several acyclic polyamine ligands are tested for their affinity towards double-stranded nucleic acid models of RNA and DNA. The binding affinity of…